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moonlitmagic

A Simple Prayer to Hermes for Safe Travels

Messenger of the Heavens,

Traveler of Gods,

To you I pray.

May you walk alongside me as i carry on my way.

Step by step along my path, I ask for your watchful eye.

Should I be forewarned, send a message from the sky.

Winged Wanderer, I ask for your grace,

Shroud me in protection as I travel place to place.

(Tip Jar)

hedendom

Ksenia Svincova has created some dark and fantastical artwork inspired by Norse Mythology.

Featured here: The Norns Freyja Idunn Loki Loki’s Children The Wild Hunt Skadi The Punishment Of Loki

bodaciousbanshee-deactivated202

Psychic Exercises

Someone messaged me this past week saying they used to feel like they had more psychic talent when they were younger, but they feel like they have lost their touch and were wondering what kind of exercises they can do to increase their abilities again.

The good news is, it just takes a little practice to get back into shape, so here are some exercises to stretch out your spiritual perception:

Keep a dream journal This will help you identify recurring themes within both your subconscious and your spiritual landscape. You may find that certain spirits try to communicate with you though dreams. The more you understand your own dreams, the easier it will be to start lucid dreaming or astral projecting. This will also improve not only your psychic perception, and your understanding of yourself, but it will also improve your creative writing ability.

Guessing games Cards, not just tarot cards, are a useful tool in exercising your psychic ability. Playing a “two of a kind” game where you have cards laying face down and you have to guess where the match to the card laying face up is a good way to challenge yourself. Zener cards are specifically designed to test psychic skills, usually one person hold the card while the other person tries to perceive what is on the card psychically. With tarot cards, if you have not used them before, quiz yourself by drawing a random card, and writing down a few sentences about what you think it means, then look it up in a book to see if you were correct. Even if you are wrong, it’s a good way to familiarize yourself with the meanings of the cards, and you will eventually get better once you memorize the symbolism.

Writing in stream of consciousness style For fifteen minutes every day, or at least as often as you can, write in a journal (make sure these entries are separate from your dream entires). And just write whatever thoughts pop into your head. Regardless of if they make sense, or are even complete sentences or thoughts. Just write down whatever words come into your head as you write. Stop when the fifteen minutes are up, unless you find yourself writing some really good prose or something. This exercise may or may not turn into automatic writing, but it can definitely help you tap into something.

Meditation Your mind doesn’t have to be totally blank when you meditate, just focus on your breathing and let all your random thoughts pass over you like a river. There are plenty of helpful tutorials and even apps to help you get stated on a meditation practice. Just like the stream of consciousness writing exercise, with time this practice will help you enter a trance state.

Scrying and remote viewing There are many methods for scrying, I prefer dark mirrors or blackened water myself. Beginning with a plain bowl of water with a bit of oil and a food dye color of your choice is a good place to start. You can focus on a question, person, place, or spirit if you want to, or you can just see what comes up on its own. Stare into the bowl as if you are staring past the bowl, as if you are looking though the bowl and the table at the floor beneath. The abstract shapes of the oil and dye will eventually take some kind of discernible form. Write down or sketch what you see. If you start getting a headache just stop because that means you are straining your eyes too much. Fire scrying is also common, but will most certainly damage your eyes. Remote viewing is similar, get a blank piece of paper and stare at it while trying to see a person or place (if you send a friend out to stand in a random place of their own choosing this is a good way to test yourself) and as you try to imagine this person and their surroundings, write down anything you notice, key words, or sketches of objects and buildings around the subject. Call or text the other person with your description of where you think they are standing to see if you are correct.

Remember to ground yourself, hydrate, eat, and sleep well when conducting psychic experiments. Dissociation can occur if you overextend yourself. Always use magical/spiritual protection when communing with spirits. If you start to feel ill, just stop, cleanse, and take a break. Just like with physical workouts, you will injure yourself if you push yourself too hard. Small, short, repetitive exercises done over a long period of time are the safest way to improve your ability.

bodaciousbanshee-deactivated202

Q: “Banshee, how can I learn to communicate with spirits?”

A: “Start practicing a form divination that interests you and start improving your divinatory ability through daily exercises like those listed above.”

hellenic-reconstructionism

Historically Accurate Offerings to the Theoi

Zeus

Oak

Carnations

Olive branches

Styrax incense

Eagle, bull, swan images

Hera

Lilies

Peacock feathers or images

Pomegranate

Incenses

Cuckoo images

Athena

Olive branch/oil/fruit

Weavings

Myrrh incense

Perfume

Owl images

Apollon

Laurel

Red roses, sunflowers

Frankincense (manna) incense

Palm tree

Raven, swan, wolf, mouse, dolphin images

Artemis

Cedar, palm and cypress trees

Tokens of deer

Jasmine

Myrtle, white flowers

Frankincense (manna) incense

Amaranthus

Peanut

Wormwood

Deer, dog, bear, partidge, quail images

Hestia

Incenses

Chaste-tree

Pig images

Poseidon

Sea anemone

Myrrh incense

Pine

Bull, dolphin, horse images

Dionysos

Ivy

Grape vine

Pine

Styrax incense

Leopard, panther, donkey, bull images

Hermes

Tongue-shaped tokens

Rosemary, saffron

Almond tree and pine tree

Frankincense and styrax incense

Mint (for Kthonios epithet)

Cow, ram, hawk, turtle, hare images

Wild strawberry (purslane)

Ares

Bronze weapons

Frankincense (manna) incense

Swan, vulture, dragon/poisonous snake, owl images

Aphrodite

Roses, myrtle, anemone (poppy)

Quince

Apple, pomegranate

Perfumes and fragrances as incense

Dove, goose, sparrow, turtle images

Hephaistos

Daisies

Frankincense (manna) incense

Donkey, dog, crane images

Asklepios

Frankincense (manna) incense

Bread

Serpent, dog, goose, rooster images

Pan

Pine, beech trees

Fern

Wild flowers

Herbs burnt as incense and the smell of perfumes

Reeds

Goat, turtle images

Demeter

Poppy

Tokens of pigs

Styrax incense

Mint (for Kthonia epithet)

Wheat

Dove, bee, pig images

Persephone

Asphodel

Wheat

Hades

Pitchfork

Pomegranate

Daffodil

Styrax incense

Dried laurel leaves

Poplar, cypress trees

Mint

Daffodil

Hekate

Saffron

Rosemary

Garlic

Red Mullet

Amphiphon (candy)

Styrax incense

Dry laurel leaves

Oak

Ferret, dog, bull, lioness images

Source: LABRYS’ Hellenic Polytheism: Household Worship and Theoi.com

monthofloveart

“Lies”

by Qistina Khalidah

For the 2019 Month of Love challenge

“My right, your rule.”

#the divine is not static and humane

astrandedrusalka-deactivated202

A stranded rusałka’s guide to; connecting with the old ones

So, this has come up as a subject in the Slavic discord (you should totally join, it is a wonderful place). I have had a number of people ask me what it is I do to connect to the old ones, how do I reach out. So I have decided to make a post, and maybe give a few examples.

Disclaimer; I am by no means some omnipotent being who knows everything and has everything figured out. This is just what I do, based off research, conversations with others and personal experience.

First of all… Pray. A lot of people don’t like that word. For a lot of people, it is a word associated with mindlessly repeating words that are not our own to appease a distant diety. That is not what I mean. Talk to them. The old ones always listen. When I talk to them… I tell them secrets; I tell them about the annoyances and fears. I tell them the mundane; like when I feel low and lonely because the sky is grey and gloomy. The big; like that I am afraid of the shadows the talk to me. And everything in between.

Another way I have found much love for is dedicating my creativity to the old ones. Write, draw, sing and dance. The old ones do not care if you are a professional. Your devotion is enough. The effort and intention counts.

Maintaining an altar for the old ones is a very good way to connect to the old ones; it has the virtue of being as simple or as complex as you wish it to be. You can make it as personal as you wish, decorate it with fruits and flora of the season, your own craft, candles, crystals… Cloths etc. It can be as small as a tin box with a candle light and some leaves, if you have to hide your beliefs or simply don’t have the space. Tending to your altar, adding to it and changing it up is a wonderful exercise of connecting with the old ones.

Along that note, making offerings is another very good way. I have found many people around me struggle to come up with fitting offerings so I will suggest some down below. I personally like to use blood (normally own) as an offering to the two old ones I communicate with most often, as well as baked goods and different flora. Those are rather universal offerings, and can be used in addition/mixed in with other things. So here are a few examples of offerings and altar decorations I make and use;

Morana; dog rose, lilies, poppies, chrysanthemum, crow and raven feathers, fresh blood, bones (I like to use bones from my meals), graveyard dirt, black and white candles, obsidian, labradorite, dried fruits, velvet, rag dolls, pieces of paper with things I’m afraid of

Veles; pine cones, willow leaves, daisies, coins, bear or cattle statuettes, black, grey, and green candles, song lyrics, sheet music, drawings quartz, emerald, lightning stones, most fabrics really, apples, blueberries, raspberries, herbs, incense, secrets I’m not supposed to tell anyone written down on things like napkins, pieces of fabric etc.

Mokosh; roses, lavender, chicken feathers, flowery materials (such as shawls and table cloths), phallic statues and imagery, knitted handywork, locks of hair, sweet foodstuffs, red, brown, white and purple candles, interestingly shaped pebbles, carnelian, drawings, daily matters, such as things I need to remember organised on a list

Perun; oak leaves, nuts, steel, blue and white candles, silk, fresh produce such as bread and spiced meats, leather, celestite, sapphire, lightning imagery, white feathers,

Jarilo; any and all flowers, knives and daggers, braided bread (I’m not sure what it’s called in English), wreaths, strawberries, oranges, scented candles, essential oils, quotes that inspire courage, dove/hare statuettes, blood, straw dolls, dyed cotton fabrics, soldier figurines

autumnalsonata-deactivated20190

“I want night, deep ambrosial night.”

— Georg Büchner, from Complete Plays and Stories: “Leonce and Lena”

hermesandmercury

Merkur verhüllt die Wahrheit

1694–1700

Tommaso Giusti (1644–1729)

Fresco

Schloss Herrenhausen

(Facebook: Hermes & Mercury)

soufre-de-paris

I’m not gonna lie

I really thought this was Hermes shoving a pie in somebody’s face

#hermes

aztec-religion

fernthewhimsical

How I make spellcandles

I was making a spell candle for the Imbolc ritual I’m hosting for the coven tomorrow and figured: why not turn it into a little tutorial? So here is my version of the spell candles!

What you need: (note: I made a candle for creativity and inspiration, so everything matches that goal. Change herbs, colours and stones to match any goal you want/need!)

🕯 a base candle, either white or a colour that works for your goal

🕯 through-and-though coloured candles for dripping in colours that match your goal. I usually use two or three, in this case yellow for happiness and inspiration and orange for creativity

🕯 herbs, I used basil (creativity), rose (passion/motivation), mistletoe (fertility for ideas) and mugwort (creativity)

🕯 small stone chips, I used aventurine, citrine and burnt amethyst (all for creativity)

🕯 oils, I used jasmine (creativity)

🕯 ribbon and charm (optional, but pretty!)

🕯 baking paper to protect your work surface

Start with carving some words or symbols into the candle. Today I used a bindrune for creativity, the runes kenaz (inner fire), wunjo (happiness) and gebo (gift).

Now drip the first colour. Make sure to first go around the edges for the pretty drips and then fill in the top.

Next are the herbs, stones and oil. Simply sprinkle them on top and arrange the bigger pieces so they are spread out a bit. Press the stones gently down into the still soft wax for sturdyness.

Drip the last colour, making sure to set but not drown the herbs, and tadaa! One pretty spellcandle! But wait, there’s more!

Tie the ribbon around the candle with one knot.

Slide on your charm and knot again, fitting it snuggly against the candle.

Make a pretty bow and trim the ends,and you’re done!

Burn it during your spell (note: remove the ribbon before it catches and reuse it!), place it on your altar or even make them to give away as gifts!

Also, feel free to tag me if you make one with the tutorial, I’d love to see them! 🌙

artofmaquenda

PART 2

The Road to Awe

“I see the stars in your eyes” said he. “Reflections merely.” Said the crow. “Memories and premonitions” the voice, a soft rebuke. “How can you know such things as the sky will not tell?” crow asked, “I have taken the road to awe, as one day you shall too” a crackle in the voice, the sound of shifting sands.

~Anastasia Korochansckaja

Part 2 of a collaboration with my dear friend Anastasia/Balaa/ @spiramirabilis and I.

narikkaphoto-deactivated2021082

Winter mass https://www.facebook.com/narikkaphoto/

https://www.instagram.com/narikkaphoto/

fjorn-the-skald

Velkomin, gestur minn! (Welcome, my guest!) You have stumbled upon the part of my Hall that is dedicated to storing primary resources for the Norse God Thor (ON: Þórr)! Here you shall find links to…

There are quite a fews gems to be found here among the Íslendingasögur, especially in Gunnlaugs saga ormstungu, Eyrbyggja saga (where it seems that Odin is not the only god who enjoys appearing before mortals under a different name), Bárðar saga Snæfelsáss, and Flóamanna saga (which features a fairly detailed dream involving Thor)! Happy reading, my friends!

Verið vel, vinir! (Be well, friends!) – Fjorn the Skald

esoteriqueer

i’ve written before about how uncomfortable it is being Jewish in most witchcraft/magic/occult spaces, but right now i’m feeling it particularly acutely as i try to navigate this queer & trans witchy renaissance we seem to be having (which is, i think, a direct response to the terror & loss of control we all feel in 2017 - magic has always been about resistance & survival to me & a lot of other people)

i’m tired. i’m scared a lot of the time. i want community & inspiration to help keep me going, so i reach for something like a zine that bills itself as an inclusive mix of queer & trans voices on witchcraft, resistance, activism - because it’s a group of marginalized folks, i (maybe foolishly) have this expectation of seeing myself in it, or of the editors being conscious of the many forms of cultural appropriation that happen in these spaces & working to educate about them

but what i’m finding, over and over, is two things: the first is that despite the fact that we exist in greater numbers than i’d ever have expected, there are no Jewish voices in any of the witchcraft-focused publications (indie or otherwise) i’ve ever encountered. the second thing, that cultural appropriation of Judaism & other forms of pervasive anti-semitism DO exist in these publications, just makes the lack of Jewish perspectives more glaring

so in the interest of being direct, here are a few things the queer & trans witchcraft community (i’d like to ask the ENTIRE witchcraft community, but i am speaking to people with whom i share something right now) can do & think about to help:

include us. if you didn’t think that any Jewish folks were involved in witchy communities, ask yourself why! is it because you thought Judaism was a religion only? or incompatible with ideas about magic? Judaism is an ethnicity & a culture - or more truthfully, a group of ethnicities & cultures - with long & complex histories of magic, mysticism & folklore. some of it is considered traditionally “kosher” & some of it isn’t! our relationships to that are individual, fascinating, & worth being shared!

stop throwing around the words “Abrahamic” & “Judeo-Christian” - especially when you want to talk about cultural values or historical oppression. 9 times out of 10, you just mean Christianity. yes, we share some text, but we have VERY different relationships to it. plus, if you’re talking specifically about the persecution of people believed to be witches, that’s the history of Jews being murdered by Christians. honestly just do us a favor & remove “Judeo-Christian” from your vocabulary, there’s almost no context where it’s an accurate description of anything.

educate yourself about appropriation. i should never have to see someone mention “practicing Kabbalah” in a zine that includes no Jewish people. our mysticism is connected to our culture, our history, our faith - not only do you have no business taking it, what could it possibly mean to you without its context?

understand that anti-semitism runs deeper than current appropriation - if you engage at all with any Western occultist or “ceremonial magic” literature or practice, you need to learn its history. what does it mean that the 15th century grimoire you’re drawing inspiration from contains Hebrew & calls itself Solomonic, but has no actual connection to Jewish people? what does it mean that the person who created the most iconic image of Baphomet, something beloved by a lot of queer & trans witches for being androgynous, gave himself a fake Hebrew name? i’m not asking you to throw all of these concepts & traditions out entirely - i have something of a love/hate relationship with ceremonial occultism myself, i collect vintage & antique things related to it & some of it is really interesting - but please at the very least educate yourself about it. specifically, educate yourself about how medieval Jews were treated while non-Jewish occultists were incorporating (often misunderstood or mangled) Jewish mysticism, language & folk practices into their frameworks.

if you’ve stayed with me this far, i appreciate it - i know this post is long & that confronting this stuff can be difficult, but i urge you to do some reading & listening before you push back. i’m writing this because i want to see things change - i want to see communities where people connect meaningfully to their own heritages & participate in actual cultural exchange & learning based in equity & mutual support.

i’m speaking to my own experience, but all of this goes for ANY marginalized culture/tradition being “drawn from” in witchcraft communities without actually including members of said culture.

many of us got involved in witchy things because we felt locked out of mainstream religious practice due to a mix of oppressions - let’s not replicate that in our own spaces.

acakewalkofcrocodiles

For the goth gardener, black plants abound. You need not look far to find sinister, occluded elements to this most innocuous of activities.

I planted black hollyhock and irises this year!

yungjerkules-deactivated2021092

A+ content important I would also suggest soft goth things such as

blackbird euphorbia (maybe tender here maybe niagara goths can have u)

black negligee bugbane

chocoholic bugbane (tbh all bugbane is prolific and spoopy and wonderful)

hellebore black swan maybe also tender?

black truffle cardinal flower

the ever fave heuchera obsidian

britt marie crawford ligularia FAVE JURASSIC LOOKING BB

and obv purple smokebush for soft goth smoke monster vibes

acakewalkofcrocodiles

thank the dark goddess for you! Saving this post!

robotbytheriver

Black pearl pepper is another good one, I can attest that they look really cool in person. Aside from being ornamental, the little peppers are edible, and I think decently hot? I haven’t tasted them though so idk about that part

blackwoolncrown

Black Pearl plants are EXTREMELY drought hardy and the peppers taste great, yes! I love mine even though I’ve given it less than stellar care; I’ve had it for…almost 10 years I think!